I started out with seven husbands, and I worked hard to support my family while crying.

Chapter 560: The Disheveled Trio

Not long after, Zhou Wenjian, Murong Changqing, Ouyang Tuoba and others returned to the Fang family courtyard. Their appearance was so terrible that it was unbearable to look at them. They looked like defeated soldiers who had just retreated from the battlefield.

Zhou Wenjian's hair was a mess; his once neat bun had long since fallen apart, with a few strands of hair hanging down his forehead, and a stain on his face that he didn't know where it had come from.

His clothes were wrinkled and the cuffs were torn. He walked with a limp, muttering to himself, "What a mess! Today has been the worst day ever."

Murong Changqing, who was usually so elegant, had lost his usual charm at this moment.

His long robe was full of wrinkles and had a hole in the hem. With a helpless smile on his face, he shook his head and said, "Alas, today's scene has truly opened my eyes. Those people have absolutely no manners."

Ouyang Tuoba was furious, his eyebrows furrowed, his hat nowhere to be found, his hair disheveled, and he kept complaining: "These people are simply insane, they'll fight over a son-in-law, it's utterly unreasonable."

Long Jinyan's appearance was even more exaggerated. He was half-naked, covered in dust and debris, and his face was covered in soot, looking like a miner who had just crawled out of a coal pile.

He walked along cursing loudly, his voice so loud that the whole courtyard could hear him: "Those powerful and wealthy businessmen are all dogs!"

They actually caused a huge scene in the store over choosing a son-in-law, even getting physical, and made a complete mess of the place. They tore up my perfectly good dress! I'm so angry!

As he spoke, he shook his arm forcefully, as if that would shake off all the anger in his heart.

Fang Xiaoxiao, Li Wan'er, and Hongxiu were taken aback when they saw their disheveled appearance, but then they couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Fang Xiaoxiao laughed until tears almost came to her eyes, pointing at Long Jinyan and saying, "Husband, what happened to you? Did you go into a fight? How did you end up like this? Hahaha."

Li Wan'er also clutched her stomach, laughing so hard she couldn't stand up straight: "Today's scene is sure to be spectacular. Look at all of you, I almost don't recognize you anymore."

Hongxiu laughed so hard she almost fell over, saying, "Oh my, this is so funny!"

Seeing them laughing so happily, Long Jinyan's initial anger subsided somewhat. However, he said irritably, "You're still laughing? If it weren't for cleaning up that mess, would we be in such a sorry state?"

But he couldn't help but smile slightly, because seeing his wife so happy made him less angry.

The laughter and chatter of the crowd echoed freely in the courtyard, like a cheerful yet somewhat noisy melody.

Zhou Wenjian laughed so hard he almost fell over, clutching his stomach with both hands and muttering incoherently, "Hahahaha, today's scene was truly the most absurd I've ever seen in my life!"

Murong Changqing held his forehead with one hand, a forced smile still on his face, shaking his head repeatedly, seemingly still savoring the chaotic scene just now, and muttered to himself, "I never thought that those usually dignified and respectable nobles could lose their composure like this when it comes to finding a husband for their daughters."

Ouyang Tuoba grinned, revealing a set of big white teeth, his eyes narrowing into slits as he laughed. He wiped away tears of laughter from time to time, excitedly gesturing to the people next to him about the scene.

Li Renyi stood awkwardly to the side, like an obtrusive wooden stake, unable to move forward or backward.

His hands wrung nervously in front of him, as if that was the only thing he could do at that moment.

His facial expression changed from red to white, like the ever-changing sky, sometimes like clouds dyed red by the setting sun, and sometimes like dark, gloomy clouds.

His eyes were full of helplessness and disappointment, like an abandoned puppy, glancing at the crowd from time to time, his longing to be noticed carrying a pitiful hint.

But everyone seemed to be immersed in their own joy, completely ignoring his presence, as if he were invisible.

At this moment, Long Jinyan noticed Li Renyi's predicament.

Long Jinyan was naturally forthright and had a loud voice like a gong. He walked forward in a carefree manner, his footsteps making a "thump-thump" sound on the stone pavement.

He patted Li Renyi's shoulder forcefully, his voice booming like a bell: "Li Renyi, why aren't you home yet? What are you doing standing here?"

The sudden loud voice instantly silenced the laughter in the courtyard, and everyone's eyes turned to Li Renyi, as if countless spotlights were shining on him.

Li Renyi's face flushed bright red instantly, from his ears all the way to the base of his neck. His toes unconsciously twitched inside his shoes, as if he wanted to dig a hole in the sole.

His body trembled slightly, and his embarrassed appearance was just like that of a primary school student being criticized by his teacher in public.

Seeing Li Renyi's expression, Fang Xiaoxiao's lips curled into a mocking smile, and a sly glint flashed in her eyes.

She crossed her arms and walked forward with light yet imposing steps, saying, "Li Renyi, today's marriage contest failed to find a suitable husband for Wan'er, all thanks to you!"

"If you hadn't been causing trouble there, the scene wouldn't have been such a mess."

Her voice was clear and melodious, yet carried an undeniable authority, like that of a high and mighty judge. "Here's what we'll do: you must find a suitable husband for the princess by tomorrow. If you can't, then don't bother hanging around in front of us."

Upon hearing this, Li Renyi felt as aggrieved as a young bride preparing for her wedding, almost covering her mouth and wiping away tears.

That's ridiculous! He just didn't want Li Wan'er to be married off to someone else; he didn't do anything heinous.

Why must you make things so difficult for yourself, my lady?

Unfortunately, he could only think it to himself and dared not refute it.

Long Jinyan looked at Li Renyi from the side with a half-smile, his eyes seeming to say, "Brother, just admit defeat."

Li Renyi opened his mouth, wanting to retort, but swallowed the words back. He could only lower his head silently, his shoulders trembling slightly, his face showing extreme grievance, a stark contrast to his usual arrogant and domineering demeanor.

Night quietly fell, and the dark blue sky was like a huge velvet cloth, dotted with countless stars, like tiny diamonds.

The bright moonlight, like a soft veil, slowly spilled into the Fang family's courtyard through the gaps in the branches and leaves, draping the entire courtyard in a silvery glow.